22-Oct-2012
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office has a new weapon to help fight crime. The Sheriff recently bought a Robinson R44 Helicopter from the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi. (see full story)... Read more
19-Oct-2012Source: Cool City Avionics
Cool City Avionics, a manufacturer of low cost, professional-grade automatic flight guidance control systems and helicopter stability augmentation systems, is pleased to announce that it has appointed thirteen new authorized dealers in the United States, three in Canada and one each in Denmark, Germany and Guatemala. Additional dealers will be appointed in the coming months.... Read more
18-Oct-2012
Two people uninjured when helicopter crashed at Innisfail Airport, 120 miles N of Calgary. Helicopter was approx 6m altitude on take off. CADAORS ref 2012C4679... Read more
16-Oct-2012
Crashed and burned on field. Pilot fatally injured... Read more
13-Oct-2012Source: Press-Enterprise
A federal appeals court will re-hear the case against a Key Bank that gave out $70,000 loans to students of Silver State Helicopters. Other banks, including Citibank, have forgiven its student loans (see full story)... Read more
12-Oct-2012Source: Destin4Me
Okaloosa recently approved a new tourism helicopter company in Destin that has some residents up in arms. Beach Helicopter can proceed with their plans to set-up a 6,000-square-foot helipad off U.S. Highway 98 (see full story). Beach Helicopter are understood to operate a Robinson R44... Read more
11-Oct-2012
Circumstances not known. 3 fatalities – pilot Chester Monroe (35) and passengers Rusty Aaron (26) and Kaci Fairchild (29)... Read more
11-Oct-2012
During the initial climb, the pilot received a clutch warning and the helicopter lost power. The pilot conducted a forced landing and the helicopter sustained substantial damage.... Read more
7-Oct-2012Source: EasyReader
Torrance-based Robinson Helicopter Co. donated $15,000 each to Palos Verdes and Torrance school districts. In PV the funds went toward building fabrication labs at each of three area middle schools. (see full story)... Read more
3-Oct-2012
Crashed on a cattle station half way between Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing, and two days later the press reported that the pilot’s body remains trapped in the wreckage underwater in a remote gorge.... Read more
3-Oct-2012
Emergency landing made in Cascades National Park... Read more
30-Sep-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Stacy and Randy Riggs, owners of Alamo Helicopter Tours of San Antonio are expanding to a second Texan city with the launch of Austin Helicopter Tours. They open for business on 1st October from Bud Dryden Airport, which is about four miles north east of the main Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Initially focusing on the tour... Read more
30-Sep-2012
Crashed into Lake Nocona, 3 POB – pilot was reportedly the owner Darren Fenoglio, with passengers Josh Walterscheid and Derrick Morse. Helicopter sank in lake. One report stated pilot only had a student certificate and thus not allowed to carry passengers... Read more
28-Sep-2012
During a an orchard spraying operation, while pilot was concentrating on avoiding a line of tree, the tail rotor struck a wire. Tail rotor effectiveness was lost and the main rotors struck some trees. Helicopter rolled over... Read more
26-Sep-2012
Training accident, dynamic rollover onto starboard side... Read more
24-Sep-2012
Training accident. Photos show location was near pylon – were cables involved?... Read more
23-Sep-2012Source: Robinson
On 7 September 2012, Robinson Helicopter Company received FAA certification for the R66 Turbine Police Helicopter. Robinson’s R66 Police model is specially configured for law enforcement and meets the latest FAA crashworthiness regulations. The four-place R66 Police helicopter combines R66 power, altitude performance, and capacity with the latest in surveillance systems. Turn-key ready, the R66... Read more
22-Sep-2012
Crashed and ended up on its port side. Initial investigations are looking at whether the helicopter was overloaded and/or outside CofG limits... Read more
19-Sep-2012
R44 extensively damaged and all three POB to hospital with injuries. Helicopter ended up on its port side (see photos)... Read more
18-Sep-2012
Pilot lost control in the hover, helicopter crashed and burnt out... Read more
17-Sep-2012Source: Owen, Patterson & Owen
Robinson Helicopter is the lone defendant in a trial which began in Brisbane, Australia on Thursday, September 13th (Supreme Court of Queensland, Number S 4573/07). The trial is expected to last 14 days. The justice presiding over the trial has ordered that the case be bifurcated. If successful on liability, the damage phase will begin sometime... Read more
17-Sep-2012
Just after landing, the heat of the exhaust caused the grass where the R44 had landed to catch fire, ultimately consuming the helicopter. CADAORS ref 2012C4261... Read more
13-Sep-2012Source: The Record
Safety investigators who analysed the wreckage can’t explain why the carburetor heat control “which would have been required given the conditions†was in the cold position when the helicopter crashed. (see full story) File photo... Read more
11-Sep-2012Source: Cool City Avionics
Cool City Electronics, Inc., dba Cool City Avionics, a manufacturer of low cost, professional-grade automatic flight control systems and stability augmentation systems for helicopters, is pleased to announce that it has received FAA Supplemental Type Certificate SR09624RC for its SAS-100 Stability Augmentation System, allowing its installation in Robinson R-44 helicopters. The new Stability Augmentation System... Read more
10-Sep-2012
Helicopter crashed and burnt out. Both occupants killed – later named here as Christopher John Yeager, 40, the pilot of Houston and Joyce Ann Ates, 60, a photographer from Midwest City, Oklahoma.... Read more
7-Sep-2012
Crashed after losing control in the hover... Read more
3-Sep-2012
R44 routing from Switzerland through France to Spain. Had taken off from Clermont-Ferrand, destination Le Luc in the Var region. Father and son killed in the accident. Controlled flight into terrain. Aircraft destroyed... Read more
31-Aug-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Following the decision to replace their existing Eurocopter EC120 fleet, Baltimore Police have recently launched operations with the first of their four new helicopters – replacing the four old ones which are all at or close to their 12 year overhaul. By taking new aircraft, the Maryland city has also been provided the opportunity to... Read more
31-Aug-2012Source: JTI Air Holdings
Using gasoline as an alternative helicopter fuel is not only better for the environment, but also more cost efficient, Fuller says. In Europe, JTI’s automotive gasoline supplemental type certificates (STCs) are sold by company representative Joop van Weele of Holland. (Seehttp://www.vliegwerkholland.nl/autofuel.html for info.) Leaded helicopter fuel is being phased out worldwide due to environmental concerns. JTI Air Holdings has led... Read more
28-Aug-2012Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com has heard that the projected lead times for new aircraft orders at Robinson are as follows, based on information sourced on 24th August: R22 – November 2012 Raven I – December 2012 Raven II – March 2013 R66 – June 2013 These projections are based on the current production schedule and are subject to... Read more
25-Aug-2012
Struck low-level power cables on final approach due to the pilot having the sun in his eyes. Helicopter ended on starboard side. 60- year old pilot suffered concussion, head injury and scratches... Read more
19-Aug-2012
Emergency landing made in forest area, helicopter ended up on its side heavily damaged. Wedding flight – groom Danilo Everson dos Santos Rosa and the bride’s mother Maria de Lourdes Rosa, 49, were the passengers. Pilot was Rodrigo Batista Lemos, age 32. All three to hospital... Read more
17-Aug-2012
Training flight, reportedly practicing autorotations. CFI Gary Hansen sustained bad head injuries, student only minor injuries.... Read more
14-Aug-2012
News report just says it crashed, no further details yet available. Possibly G-BTHI (1732)... Read more
9-Aug-2012
Struck guide wire to a tower... Read more
6-Aug-2012
Synidcate/Club-0wned R44 ditched in the Black Sea at night 200 metres from the shore, and sank. Sole occupant pilot (from who lives in Kharkov) swam ashore.... Read more
5-Aug-2012
Low-rotor-rpm horn sounded on climb-out. Skids hit uneven ground during run-on landing, causing helicopter to fall on its side. Two occupants exited safely only to watch the helicopter be consumed by post-crash fire. see also http://www.3CapesHeliChallenge.com/... Read more
1-Aug-2012Source: WIVB Channel 4
Western New York Helicopters has opened up Buffalo Waterfront Tours, which will take people along the lakefront, the Naval Park, and downtown Buffalo (see full story)... Read more
31-Jul-2012
Damaged in emergency landing. No injuries to 4 POB... Read more
31-Jul-2012
Autorotated and landed hard... Read more
29-Jul-2012
Difficulties on take-off resulted in heavy landing with much damage to the helicopter – operator is quoted in press estimating damage cost at 150,000 euros. Minor injuries to the 4 POB... Read more
27-Jul-2012Source: Concorde Battery
Concorde Battery has developed a new lighter weight aircraft battery for turbine applications. The new RG-325 is 25 AH and FAA-TSO authorized. RG-325 was specifically constructed for turbine starting applications with the goal of a lighter weight, durably constructed battery that could sustain multiple turbine engine starts. With this in mind, rather than designing the... Read more
25-Jul-2012Source: Aspen Avionics
Aspen Avionics, manufacturer of the innovative Evolution Flight Display System, announced today the FAA approval for installation of Aspen’s H-series Primary Flight Displays (PFDs) and Multi-function Flight Displays (MFDs) into the Robinson R44 and R44 II model helicopters. Aspen’s H-series PFD and MFD systems are designed and manufactured to meet the rigors of helicopter operations.... Read more
19-Jul-2012Source: Lycoming
Lycoming Continues Call for ‘UL 100’ as a Fleetwide Solution Williamsport, PA – July 18th, 2012 – Lycoming Engines, a division of Avco Corporation, released Service Instruction SI-1070R on April 16th, 2012, which approved a wide variety of engines for use with ASTM D7547 UL 91 unleaded avgas. European Aviation Safety Administration (EASA) Safety Information... Read more
19-Jul-2012Source: Robinson
DATE: 19 July 2012 TO: R22, R44 & R44 II, and R66 owners, operators, and maintenance personnel SUBJECT: Kannad ELT Service Bulletin ROTORCRAFT AFFECTED: Helicopters equipped with optional “AF-Compact” or “AF Integra” model Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) manufactured by Kannad. Kannad “406 AF” and “406 AF-H” model ELTs are not affected. BACKGROUND: Kannad has issued... Read more
19-Jul-2012
Shortly after dropping two passengers, helicopter had problem on take-off and it crashed onto its starboard side. Pilot Christoffel Myburgh sustained head injuries... Read more
18-Jul-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Due to the ongoing delays in the European certification of the Robinson R66, Robinson dealers across the continent are calling for a meeting with two EASA representatives – namely Certification Director Dr. Norbert Lohl and the R66 validation project coordinator, Volker Arnsmeier. The move – led by British distributor Sloane Helicopters – is out of... Read more
18-Jul-2012Source: SkyTrac
Airborne Energy Solutions (AES), with headquarters in Whitecourt, AB operates helicopters in remote locations where communications are either limited or non-existent. This makes flight following difficult and ineffective. This, and the desire for a reliable system to fill the safety void that existed started AES’s search for a flight following vendor. Looking for a system... Read more
16-Jul-2012
Rolled over multiple times on autorotation landing on training flight. Instructor and student not seriously injured... Read more
14-Jul-2012
Rotor blade struck vehicle on landing... Read more
12-Jul-2012
Helicopter was involved in operation cutting trees back along a powerline, using an underslung saw. Finnish pilot... Read more
12-Jul-2012
Helicopter landed heavily and fell onto its side... Read more
11-Jul-2012
Crashed to the ground into a building, killing both occupants – instructor Mailson Rocha Lopes (age 23) and student Denis Frank Thomazi (32)... Read more
10-Jul-2012Source: Robinson
Latest information from Robinson Helicopter Co in Torrance provides us with their lead times as at 29th June 2012. If you place a deposit for a new R22, it will be delivered ex factory in October 2012. For a R44 Raven I you are looking at November 2012, or a Raven II two months further... Read more
10-Jul-2012
Helicopter was involved in a low level bear survey and crashed. Pilot killed, one passenger seriously injured, the other minor injuries. Pilot was later identified as 56-year-old Paul Rosset, from Yellowknife. Both passengers were employees of Environment Yukon – named here as Jonathan Postma and Raphael Roy-Jauvin. CADORS 2012C2841... Read more
9-Jul-2012Source: HeliHub.com
It is with sadness we record the untimely death of world record holding pilot Johan Nurmi in an R22 accident in California on Monday 9th July. While the circumstances of the accident are unknown, press photos show Robinson R22 N7527Y lying on its side in a desert area some four miles east of French Valley... Read more
9-Jul-2012
Pilot killed in R22 accident. Passenger received minor injuries.  See also HeliHub.com news story – California R22 crash kills record-holder pilot Johan Nurmi... Read more
4-Jul-2012
Crashed into lake – student pilot on night training exercise... Read more
2-Jul-2012
“helicopter made a crash landing”. No injuries... Read more
29-Jun-2012Source: HeliHub.com
The UK has for a long time been a Robinson sales stronghold, dating back to 1979 with Sloane Helicopters taking the dealership for the UK and the 18th R22 off the production line. The UK Robinson fleet peaked in 2008 at 568 (231 R22s and 337 R44s), and even with the recession biting since, the... Read more
27-Jun-2012Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com has heard that Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) has this week updated distributors in EASA countries on the latest situation of the ongoing R66 certification issues – which focus on the hydraulic servo. This situation has been dragging on for a long time, and some are even suggesting that a European manufacturer could be putting... Read more
22-Jun-2012Source: Rotorcorp
On June 15th, 2012 Robinson Helicopter Company released an announcement offering R44 Astro, Raven I and Raven II operators a $1000 rebate on the KI-196 Bladder Tank Retrofit Kits in accordance with Service Bulletin 78A.  This bulletin requires R44 helicopters with all-aluminum fuel tanks to be retrofitted with bladder-type tanks.  To improve the R44 fuel system’s resistance to... Read more
22-Jun-2012
After being airborne for approximately 35 minutes, the engine began to lose power. The pilot picked an oil well lease site for a precautionary landing and while descending to the intended landing spot, the engine lost and regained power and then finally quit. The pilot entered autorotation and on landing the aircraft bounced, resulting in... Read more
21-Jun-2012Source: Bellingham Aviation Services
Bellingham Aviation Services, a leading aviation service organization in the Pacific Northwest, expands its instructional staff and rental fleet to meet increased demand for rotorcraft training, photo and scenic flights. “BAS is thrilled to offer our customers enhanced training opportunities with the addition of a Robinson R22 Beta II and an Instrument Rated CFI,†said... Read more
19-Jun-2012Source: Robinson
Addressed to “All R44 Dealers, Service Centers and Owners” (original pdf here) Robinson Helicopter Co. (RHC) is offering a U.S $1,000 rebate to all R44 owners who purchase and install the KI-196 Kit, in accordance with SB-78A, on or before December 31, 2012. To receive the rebate, the owner must provide RHC with the aircraft... Read more
18-Jun-2012
Rotor blade clipped the branch of a tree while hover taxying... Read more
17-Jun-2012
Autorotated into field and the boom broke off... Read more
14-Jun-2012
Robinson R22 Mariner operating at low level (it usually flies aerial photography work with boats) crashed into the sea and turned over. Ambulances transported occupants Will Mistrot and Marie Kojimoto to hospital but their injuries were not considered life-threatening We note that the initial press reports (see below) indicated that Mr Mistrot was the pilot,... Read more
14-Jun-2012
Wire strike while involved in spraying operations at low level. Landed safely, although cut wire meant that 530 customers were without electricity... Read more
13-Jun-2012Source: Heliflite
More than 100 pilots have attended Heliflite’s hosted Robinson Factory Pilot Safety Courses in Sydney, Melbourne & Wanaka (NZ) during late May and early June. All three courses were presented by Robinson Helicopter Company’s Chief Instructor and Test Pilot, Tim Tucker. The Robinson Factory Pilot Safety Course caters for all pilots of all levels of experience... Read more
13-Jun-2012
Helicopter struck power lines during an agricultural spraying operation. The helicopter was damaged but a safe landing was made.... Read more
12-Jun-2012Source: Mornington Sanford Aviation
rnington Sanford Aviation assist Solaire Helicopters Sdn Bhd the Malaysian Robinson Helicopter Company Dealer, based in Kuala Lumpur and the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) in achieving Robinson R66 Type Certification (First of Type) in Malaysia. Richard conducted a Malaysian DCA approved R66 Airframe and RR300 engine Type Training Course over 6 days at... Read more
